jeepin95
New Member
I'm looking to build a backup system for some of our home power that is at least partially PV based but trying to decide on the "best" route. While I generally like building, tinkering and DIYing as much as I can, I'm not sure I want to do that for this. I want it super simple for anyone in the house to operate. We live in the Pacific Northwest and don't lose power often, and generally not for long so I also don't want to invest to much.
Current setup:
The main reason for looking at the DELTA Pro Ultra is for convenience not having to pull the generator out or hook the truck up to the transfer switch. It also might be interesting to run some of the circuits off of the EcoFlow + PV sometimes "just because".
Questions:
I have looked at some of the other options like EG4 and server rack LFP batteries. I understand that the features and KWH/$ is better on those "DIY" systems vs the PnP EcoFlow. For just me I would probably go that route, but for the household I don't think it is as good. I've seen the hand-truck setup, but I still think the slightly better portability of the EcoFlow is a little better. My primary concern is that I see the EcoFlow as more of an "Apple" product where I am more of a fan of open source generally.
Edit: I'll also note that this is just my initial setup. The longer term plan would be to add panels so that I could ideally run some of those circuits like the computers nearly exclusively on PV. My thought is the inverter/battery comes first, then augment with additional panels as space and funds allow.
Thanks for any input.
Current setup:
- 3200w inverter dual fuel generator that we have only run on propane. We have three 20# cylinders with one usually on the grill as well as a 30# on the RV trailer that is almost always full since we don't use that propane there often. I believe this is a floating neutral.
- F-150 Powerboost with ProPower 7.2kw inverter that I know has bonded neutral and GFCI.
- Extension cords to run the fridge and freezer, so far only used them a couple times from the generator.
- Avoid the extension cords with input and a transfer switch. I do not need this to be automatic.
- Critical loads and options to manually prioritize those loads on the fly by turning off a transfer switch or breaker.
- Non-fixed solar panels to augment generator(s).
- Small freezer in the garage.
- Fridge in the kitchen
- Cable modem, possibly a couple laptops and radios.
- A few LED lights.
- High efficiency gas furnace, no A/C.
- EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra with a single 6kwh battery.
- Manual generator transfer switch.
- Portable solar panels, 400w initially. As I'm
The main reason for looking at the DELTA Pro Ultra is for convenience not having to pull the generator out or hook the truck up to the transfer switch. It also might be interesting to run some of the circuits off of the EcoFlow + PV sometimes "just because".
Questions:
- I know for a fact that the 7.2kw truck inverter is a bonded neutral and would require a transfer switch that also transfers the neutral if I were to connect the truck directly to the transfer switch. While I haven't pulled it out to check, I believe the generator is a floating neutral. I also can't find documentation specifically for the Ultra to indicate if it is floating or not, but I suspect it is a floating neutral. It also isn't clear to me if a neutral bonding plug would work on the Ultra as some postings I was reading indicate it does not work on the other EcoFlow models. Does anyone know for sure if a bonding plug would work on the Ultra? If it does, then it seems like my best option is to use a transfer switch that also transfers the neutral. This would allow me to power those critical loads from the 3200w generator by utilizing a bonding plug. I could also power it from the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra by using a bonding plug. And I could power it from the truck without anything special since it is already bonded. That way I have all three options available to directly power the circuits.
- If the Ultra is floating and there is no way to bond it then it seems like a transfer switch that also transfers the neutral is not an option. This would limit the ability to directly power the circuits from the truck. While I could still use the truck to keep the EcoFlow topped off, I would be dependent on the EcoFlow actually operating.
- If the weather turns bad and we are expecting grid failures, or even just fluctuations, could I flip the critical circuits over to the EcoFlow so they are operating off battery. Then have the EcoFlow also plugged into a non-critical load circuit in the garage so it would continue to charge while grid power is available? Effectively creating a UPS for the critical circuits? If the grid did go down for an extended period then I would connect the generator or the truck.
- While I understand this may be overkill for the amount we lose power, does it make sense?
- Does anyone have a similar setup with thoughts and experiences?
- What am I missing?
I have looked at some of the other options like EG4 and server rack LFP batteries. I understand that the features and KWH/$ is better on those "DIY" systems vs the PnP EcoFlow. For just me I would probably go that route, but for the household I don't think it is as good. I've seen the hand-truck setup, but I still think the slightly better portability of the EcoFlow is a little better. My primary concern is that I see the EcoFlow as more of an "Apple" product where I am more of a fan of open source generally.
Edit: I'll also note that this is just my initial setup. The longer term plan would be to add panels so that I could ideally run some of those circuits like the computers nearly exclusively on PV. My thought is the inverter/battery comes first, then augment with additional panels as space and funds allow.
Thanks for any input.
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